Learning about Racism
The CRRF has developed an exclusive, free on-line program that has brought together a “faculty” of subject matter experts to create a curriculum and a set of reading materials. Learners, drawn from multiple sectors, will read provided material and participate in courses led by faculty members who are experts in the topic of discussion.
The learning courses are provided for information and educational purposes only, and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The content published herein represents the belief and work of its authors, and does not necessarily reflect the official policy or positions of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Understanding how the Brain Develops Bias | In partnership with Dr. Hooley McLaughlin
Discriminating between objects – noting their characteristics and the differences between one object and another – is a necessary part of analysing and successfully negotiating with the world around us. As we discriminate between objects, we find some things are becoming more comfortable or familiar than others. This is the beginning of bias, a natural aspect of being human and aware. This course examines how new insights in the fields of psychology and neuroscience help to show how the brain develops bias, and how understanding unconscious bias is important for anti-racism work.
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Interfaith Learning and Understanding | In partnership with Dr. Shari Golberg
This course will provide an understanding of the relationship between religion and multiculturalism; a basic understanding of the major faith traditions in Canada; and some practical tips for managing and discussing interfaith issues in the workplace, schools, and other shared community spaces. This series begins with an introduction to the major concepts of pluralism, multicultural, and religion, moves into the tenets, beliefs, practices, and peoples’ lived experiences of major faith traditions practiced in Canada today, and finally explores how to manage conflict that may arise from religious traditions in the workplace, in schools, and communities.
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Systemic Racism in Canada | In partnership with Dr. Carl James
When we think and talk about racism, most people reference examples of interactions between people. Racism is commonly understood or taken up in public as being about personal interactions rather than how institutions maintain racism through the implementation of policies, practices, and programs.This course was designed as an introductory opportunity for learning about how racism functions as an interconnected system. This includes understanding how the rooted inequities of society produce the stratification of people on the basis of race, and in turn their participation in economic, political, social, cultural, and educational institutions; as well as how the entrenched culture, norms, values and beliefs that permeate the institutions that shape our everyday lives in Canada uphold the status quo and influence individual behaviours, beliefs, and values.
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A Primer on Intercultural Dialogue | In partnership with Akanksha Thakur
This course will focus on several basic but important concepts. It looks to help users develop a shared understanding as well as the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to communicate effectively in a culturally diverse country like Canada. In this course, you will explore different cultural values and communication styles, deepen your intercultural awareness, and strengthen your skills to understand and bridge communication across different styles and world views. The aim of this course is to help you begin the journey of developing intercultural competency by broadening your understanding of different cultures and different identities, as well as promoting awareness of your own culture.
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Canadian – Indigenous Treaties | In partnership with Scott Robertson
This course will give a brief overview of the relevant historical, social, political and legal elements that were taken into consideration when settlers entered into treaties with Indigenous Nations. It will explain the continued relevance of treaties, and the importance of treaty recognition to Reconciliation.This course will examine racism from an Indigenous perspective, namely, how racism maintains inequity and colonization and the continuing harm to Indigenous peoples. We will also consider the enactment and enforcement of Treaties from colonial and Indigenous perspectives.
We hope that by providing multiple perspectives and the context for considering treaty relationships, we can alleviate some of the misconceptions that those living in Canada may have about Indigenous people.
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